So this is something which I am now extremely passionate about. I'd go so far as to say that I'm down right angry about it.
In England there has been an oft-publicised piece of legislation going through the motions of drafts, amendments, public consultation, televised debates, parliamentary votes and one hell of a lot of rhetoric. What was that piece of legislation? A little thing called the equal marriage act.
Oh you've heard of it? Well that's a surprise because from what I've heard it is just the bigoted, Daily Mail reading, not-in-my-back-yarders that have been making the noises about it.
Now before the lower house voted on, and passed, the bill; I had heard of the consultation from the government. Actually I completed it. But not many of my friends were talking about it. There wasn't a loud voice from the gay population that was coming across in the media. With the exception of c4em.org.uk and stonewall I don't think I saw any literature or publications championing the act of marriage for same sex partners.
On the other hand I saw dozens of negative articles and interviews about keeping same sex couples out in the cold when it comes to marriage. Arguments which were at times so profoundly without merit that they were laughable. Others were so offensive that they made my pulse race. A few examples of the arguments against equal marriage I will address below with my responses and opinions
1) Marriage is founded on the principle of procreation.
WRONG - If this is the case then someone please revoke the marriage certificates from those couples that have no intention of starting a family. Please also annul the marriages of those couples who entered them knowing that one or both partners are not able to reproduce. Now - God forbid that the female had already hit the menopause at the time of marrying because they should never have married either!
2) The Bible says that homosexuality is wrong.
WRONG - first of all this isn't about the Bible. Marriage predates this religion by some years however as it is thrown about so much I feel I should address this too. Many religions in this country WANT to marry same sex partners in their places of worship but are currently prevented from doing so. This is not fair but as the Christian Church of England is the established Church I will respond to the Christian arguments.
Quote may very depending on which Bible you are reading due to translation (which also happens to be the main part of this problem)
Leviticus 18: In Leviticus 18:22 it is written:
"Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."
All of Chapter 18 of the Bible is talking about male sexual conduct, incest, adultery and so on. The overiding tone in this entire chapter is actually about Molech. A false idol whose followers were actively engaging in sexual activity in the temples. At the time it was often a case that men would rape other men as a sign of their dominance. This would often be conducted in Molech's temples as it was believed that any sexual contact was pleasing to Molech. Furthermore there were male prostitutes in said temples ready for "use" by any worshippers. Of course many people who would shout this quote would not actually have the mental fortitude to put two and two together but the more literal translation of this text would be "men should not have sex with the temples' male prostitues"
2.2) SODOM & GOMORRAH
Easy one to deal with - Homosexuality is not mentioned once in this. Case closed.
3) what next? Polygamists, paedophillia, marrying a pet?
Absolutely absurd. As a consenting adult I have every right to fall in love with whomsoever I choose to fall in love with. That person will obviously feel the same way about me or we would not want to get married. This PERSON has the same feelings, needs, senses and sensibilities as any other person. Why on earth would this be likened to peadophillia / beastiality. It takes a sick mind to take the reciprocal love of two consenting adults and link it to sex with a defenceless child or animal.
4) Gay people already have civil partnerships which are like marriage so they don't need marriage.
WRONG ( see a theme appearing?)
One great big gripe is that these are completely unequal. Don't get me wrong. gay British people have been afforded many rights which were not available before such as inheritance but they are not equal.
In fact Lord Tebbit, a senior cabinet member, recently said
"We should be utterly, completely and absolutely clear that a civil partnership is not a marriage, cannot be a marriage, never will be a marriage and should be treated entirely separately from marriage."
Yeah - sounds equal right?
I think that by creating civil partnerships it has opened up a lot of angst. Obviously as gay people we should be thankful for the small mercies which we get in life (sarcastic overtone) but how can we have equality by creating further inequality. Straight couples can't get civilly partnered and gay couples can't get married. Something has got to give.
So to round up. It is up to us, the gay community, to make a big noise about this. We need to let out local MPs know that we won't put up with being categorised as second class citizens. We want equal rights. Not a single thing more. Equal. Too many of us have been happy with the apparent status quo regarding civil partnerships and marriage. We are so close to now being looked upon as equal to the rest of the population in the eyes if the law.
Write to your MP using one of the www.c4em.org.uk template emails, tell your straight friends that it is important to you. Even if it isn't important to you right now it could be in years to come and why should you have this decision made for you, before you even know yourself if you want to get married, by the lawmakers of the land who have been elected to act on your behalf in the palace of Westminister. Xx
